Ohio State poultry team places eighth

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State University poultry judging team competed in the 66th U.S. Poultry & Egg Association National Poultry Judging Contest hosted by Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge April 10-12.

Eleven teams competed, and Ohio State’s team finished eighth overall.

Team members

The Ohio State team included Abbey McCune, a graduating senior from Hudson, Ohio, majoring in animal sciences (pre-vet); Bradley Hogshead, a sophomore from St. Marys, Ohio, majoring in animal sciences; Heath Wilgus, a junior from Johnsville, Ohio, majoring in construction systems management; and Tyler Butler, a junior from Mount Gilead, Ohio, majoring in agricultural communications.

The team placed fifth in breed selection, which earned it a trophy as a top five team for that division.

McCune and Wilgus placed in the top 25 overall individuals.

Michael Cressman, an animal sciences Ph.D. candidate, coached the team. The national contest is the only contest in which the team competed this spring, and it is the first contest for Cressman as coach.

Travel and accommodation of the poultry judging team were supported by the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University. Judging team jackets were sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association.